Unofficial Results: Saddle Brook School District Receives Voter Approval for Infrastructure Repairs

Referendum approval allows district to access state aid toward project costs

Saddle Brook, NJ – Saddle Brook School District has received voter approval to borrow funds through a bond referendum to fix its current school buildings and update safety features, according to preliminary election results.

As of Tuesday night, the count is 792 in favor and 656 opposed. Votes will continue to be counted over the next few days as remaining mail-in ballots arrive and provisional ballots are verified. Updates will be shared on sbpsnj.org/referendum.

With the passage of the bond referendum, Saddle Brook School District can now finance the $14.4 million project costs with the assistance of $4.2 million in state aid to help offset the cost to taxpayers.

“The Board of Education, district administration, and I are truly grateful to members of the Saddle Brook community for taking the time to learn about the referendum and using their voice to vote,” said Superintendent Toni Violetti. “With the help of state aid, we can complete these critical infrastructure repairs.”

The improvements to the schools will include:

• Replacement of various windows, doors, ceilings, roofs, restrooms, and floors across all school buildings.
• Safety and security upgrades to enhance protection for students and staff.
• An athletic turf field and lights at the Middle/High School for the entire community’s benefit.
• Renovations at Washington Elementary School to turn unused space into pre-kindergarten classrooms, eliminating the waitlist and generating tuition revenue.
• Interior restoration of Coolidge School, including an elevator for ADA compliance.

Saddle Brook School District will now begin planning the details of the projects, starting with selling the bonds at the most favorable rates. Once the bonds are sold, the district’s architects and engineers will finalize project specifications and begin the bidding process. Contracts will be awarded to the lowest qualified bidders, per state regulations.